Sheriffs rescue 'distressed' kayakers near Valhalla

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El Dorado County Sheriffs Office reported two kayakers were rescued the evening of Oct. 4 in Lake Tahoe after high winds may have caused problems for them.

According to a news release, the kayakers had their boats turned over in the water, while another kayaker tried to assist them around the Valhalla recreational area.

A sheriff’s patrol boat responded to the scene after a witness reported the situation to police.

“When the patrol boat arrived on scene they found one upright kayaker and one overturned kayak,” the release states. “A male subject was lying on top of the overturned kayak and he appeared to be in medical distress and almost lifeless.”

A search and rescue volunteer was able to get two of the kayakers on the boat, and later they were taken by South Lake Tahoe Fire Department to Barton Memorial Hospital. One was treated for hypothermia.

The third kayaker was later found safe at Whiskey Cove, the release stated.

During that day, the release stated, a wind advisory warning was in effect, and the kayakers fought against had to battle against 2- to 4-foot water swales.